In a weekend of awful umpiring, the worst review ever performed helps ensure the Guardians win the game
For three innings, the Guardians seemed unable to compete. The Guardians had a single, double, and hit batter in the first inning but only managed one run thanks to two strikeouts and a popup. Tanner Bibee’s pitches lacked any bite and he gave up a pair of solo home runs to Vinnie Pasquantino and Michael Massey to give the Royals the lead. Then, in the top of the fourth, the umpires stepped in.
Cole Ragans didn’t have his best command, today, but after a rough first inning, he’d been bouncing back. There was a runner on, but two outs and two strikes to rookie Jhonkensy Noel. Ragans left a pitch over the middle and Noel absolutely pummelled it, it hooked toward and ultimately to the foul side of the pole in left. Umpires ruled it a home run. No big deal, that’s what the review system is for. And, bonus, home run reviews don’t even count against the Royals, so all they had to do was ask for a crew chief review. Those at home were able to witness replay after replay in multiple angles that showed the ball never touched the foul pole but glanced off of an anchor that holds up the safety netting in foul territory.
The umpires took their time, but that’s OK, it was obvious which way the call would go. Then Laz Diaz turned on his microphone and announced that the home run stood. Unbelievably, the Guardians had been gifted two runs by, perhaps, the worst umpiring crew in the league.
The whole series, including today’s game, has been plagued with awful ball-strike calls, for and against both teams, at home plate. But this is the first time I can recall an umpiring crew simply giving two runs to one team.
Some will argue that it ultimately didn’t matter. Ragans unraveled from there and didn’t manage to finish the fifth inning, giving up five runs on the day, with a little help from Angel Zerpa who was called upon to relieve him. Will Smith allowed a home run to Jose Ramírez to provide the final tally. But those two runs immediately changed the game from a one-run lead for the Royals to a one-run lead for the Guardians and changed how every single player approached the contest from that point on. There’s no way of knowing how the game would have gone without that home run being allowed. I wouldn’t go this far, but given the gambling allegations against umpire Pat Hoberg and how abysmal the umpiring has been this season, and especially in this series, some are questioning if the fix is in. As I said, I don’t think that could possibly be true but such a blatantly wrong call certainly does MLB no favors in contending that it is not.
If you’re looking for silver linings, Nick Anderson and Carlos Hernández each managed a scoreless inning with a strikeout. Vinnie Pasquantino and Michael Massey each had a second hit in addition to their dingers. Maikel Garcia led off the game with a 10 pitch at-bat; it resulted in a groundout, but that’s the kind of approach we’ve really been lacking from him in the leadoff spot.
Ultimately, it’s only one game, and the Royals still have a chance to win the series tomorrow. Even if they don’t, as I wrote in the game thread, they’re playing today’s and tomorrow’s games with house money. Even if they lose both, splitting with the Guardians is a good outcome. Tomorrow’s game will see Seth Lugo go for Kansas City. Logan Allen will pitch for Cleveland. The game will start at 1:10 Kansas City time.
